Jehovah’s Witnesses had a strong inclination toward forgiving others and themselves and believing in divine forgiveness, likely reinforced by religious teachings and community culture.
Respondents rate themselves highly on forgiving, exceeding typical scores in other populations using the same measure. No significant differences were found by gender or by whether respondents lived through the Genocide. Age showed a small effect with older adults scoring slightly higher. (Figure 4.1)
Regarding divine forgiveness, most believe God forgives them when their actions align with repentance and forgiveness. However, about 21% find it hard to believe God forgives them for their wrongdoings, and nearly 9% feel their sins are too serious for forgiveness, indicating some internal struggle. Overall, scores for divine forgiveness were high and consistent across all demographic groups. (Figure 4.2)
Concerning self-forgiveness, most respondents indicated they take responsibility for wrongdoings, feel remorse, and strive not to repeat mistakes. However, not all feel full self-acceptance or self-love after wrongdoing, reflecting a nuanced approach to self-forgiveness. Patterns were consistent across gender, age, years baptized, and Genocide experiences. (Figure 4.3)
Figure 4.1, Trait Forgivingness Scale, Percentages of Responses by Item
Figure 4.2, Divine Forgiveness Scale, Percentages of Responses by Item
Figure 4.3, Self-Forgiveness Dual-Process Scale, Percentages of Responses by Item
